Washing Cycles - There are a large number of cycles available on some machines but do you need them ? Check the type of clothes that you wash and get a machine that has those washing cycles that you need and no more as this will be cheaper and keep the operating of the appliance much simpler to use.

Capacity -This is the maximum amount of clothes that a washer can be loaded with for one wash and it's a good idea to determine what your laundry amounts are on average as if it's a small amount then a large capacity machine would not be required and in the same way if you do a lot of laundry then a larger capacity machine would be better as it would reduce the overall amount of washes that you would do.

Space - Always accurately measure the space you have and compare it to the machines dimensions taking into account whether its front or top loading and making sure ample room for opening and closing the appliance is availableIf you have plenty of space you can get matching separate washer and dryer machines or if space is more limited a combination washer dryer is a good optionIn apartments or small homes where space is a problem you could get a portable machine these are smaller machines on castors that can be stored in cupboards till needed and wheeled into position when requiredVertical stacked one piece combination units that can fit in cupboard type spaces are also available and are permanently plumbed in.

Reviews -Read other peoples reviews on experiences they have had as this is a good way to check if the model you want is reliable in useFrequently you can get a very good description of a washer from someone's review often better than the manufacturer's own description.

A to G Ratings - Take A as very good and G as very bad in the following categories that give you a comparison of features on all machinesThese are independent findings and not written by the manufacturers.

Energy Efficiency - Today's electricity, gas and water rates are continuing to increase so cutting down on all of these is important for both your financial position and the environmentAn A rated machine is the most economical choice but can be more expensive to buy but take into account what you will save in running cost's and you should find that the extra cost will be justified by the amount you will save on your bills.

Washing Performance - Gives a comparison as to how well a machine actually washes clothes although all machines can do a very good job on long cycles.

Spin Performance - The higher the rating the more water that's extracted from the clothes although sometimes an A is not so goodTo get an A the spin speed must be high 1400 to 1600 rpm and a machine must be mechanically sound to achieve this on a regular basisTherefore a cheap machine with an A may not last long at such a high spin speed and soon start to get noisy and vibrate excessively as the bearings wear out.